Announced the Trip on Christmas Day!

[ILuvWDWorld]

My parents had planned trip for all of my family - my siblings and our families (21 of us!). It was our Christmas gift from them. Anyway, I knew about it ahead of time because they needed a little help with the planning.

Anyway, my parents had 4 boxes (because they have 4 children) wrapped with brochures, etc. inside each of them with a very special, personal note to each family. Anyway, before opening them, we watched a "dvd" I had put together about WDW. It was set to "When You Wish Upon a Star". The trip info scrolled like credits on a movie. Anyway, at the end of it (before we opened the packages), it was total silence. Then my older sister said, "So . . . we get to go to Disney World?!" Mom said, "Yes!" The kids were excited, but the adults were ecstatic! We were laughing and crying and immediately planning! It had already been a great Christmas even before the Disney surprise - we're such a close family. I think every adult in the room was in tears - it was GREAT!

Needless to say, we absolutely can't wait - my parents have been wanting to do this for a while before his retirement.

 

[DMRick]

We surprised our grands and kids on Christmas day (well the grands, had to tell our girls so they could take vacation).

We bought the Boys the Disney magic sets at the $10 and under store begining of Dec when we went, unwrapped them and figured out the hidden box magic trip. Put the note about Disney there and after they unwrapped it (had to go through several boxes first LOL!), told them they had to learn the tricks first (we told them which one finally, cause it was taking so long), to find the answer to the gift. They figured it out, and pretty much went into shock. In a different room we had grand open a music/jewelry box (from Christmas Tree Shop) that played it's a small small world, and the drawer opened with her note..hers was easier, so we kept her shushed until the boys did it). One of the grands thought he had won a trip to Disney, and he was taking all of us with him..he didn't realize we resealed the game, etc..he thought the prize came with the set LOL!
Our girls knew in advance, but their hubby and SO didn't, so they were pretty surpised, expecially the one who had never been. He kept saying..wow, I'm going to Disney! He called to day, to make sure I really meant to include him LOL!

 

[golfgal]

Well, our Christmas surprise didn't get the reaction I was expecting. We got each of the kids a suitcase and I found Disney coloring books and wrapped those. They figured out what the suitcases were and the kids all opened them together. They each opened a couple more gifts and then DS12 opened the box with his coloring book. He just sat there with a blank look on his face for a while and said "this is a joke, right?". I didn't say anything and then DD9 opened her coloring book. I got a "very funny, mom" from her. DS9 opened his coloring book, shrugged his shoulders and waited for someone else to open a gift. So I said, "wait a second, think about your gifts, what have you gotten?" They said a suitcase and a coloring book, so? We said, "well, what is on your coloring book" DS12 said Goofy and Mickey Mouse, so?" Kids???? I said "what does it say in BIG letters across the top". Then it FINALLY clicked. "So, are we going to Disney", they asked. We said, yes. They asked when so we told them May 30. They said, cool and went to open the rest of their gifts.

I was expecting a LITTLE excitement since this is their first trip. They have since become a little more excited, especially when telling their friends what they got for Christmas.

 

[kathmzh]

what wonderful surprises for Christmas Day...I love these stories!

 

[goofyernmost]

I was expecting a LITTLE excitement since this is their first trip. They have since become a little more excited, especially when telling their friends what they got for Christmas.

I wouldn't be to disappointed especially since this is the first trip! They have no real frame of reference to anticipate exactly what is coming up. They have seen the commercials and heard about it but until one actually experiences it one really cannot get the emotional envolvement that you were looking for. The fun will come when you actually go. Have a great time.

 

[bbowers]

Our girls knew in advance, but their hubby and SO didn't, so they were pretty surpised, expecially the one who had never been. He kept saying..wow, I'm going to Disney! He called to day, to make sure I really meant to include him LOL!

OK, somehow that brought tears to my eyes.

 

[sdwrdt]

We wrapped a BIG box late 12/23 (with 7 boxes inside) and put it under the tree. The girls saw it first thing when they came downstairs the next morning. I asked them what we had done the night before and they said "Wrapped presents." I asked how many presents they had and their comment was "have no idea." Asked them who the big present was for and they said "Both of us!"

Without our needing to say anything - Christmas Eve that's the first present they wanted to open. Got to the 2nd box which my 11 yo read "Let's Go" on the tape. Didn't even phase her. Then on all the inside boxes, I had cut out "Disney" from a big Disney store bag and put a single letter on each one. First "i", then "e", "y", "s", "n" and finally "D". At first, they didn't see the letters. When they were getting frustrated with just opening boxes, I suggested they look to see if anything was ON each box. That didn't help a lot, they thought the "y" was a "p" plus didn't think about forming words with the letters - until they got to the last box. My 11 yo saw the "D" and said "Disney?!?" We didn't react. Then, they saw the tickets inside the box. My 9 yo was still out of it. My 11 yo was like "tickets to Disney - we're going to Disney!"

Of course, we have it all on videotape! The reaction was almost what I'd hoped for!

 

[cslittle999]

We told our kids about next December's trip on Christmas day too. When we were watching the Disney Christmas parade I asked the kids (DD8 and DS6) if it would be cool to see the parade live. Both of them said of course. I then said how about next year. They both looked at me strange for a moment until it sunk in and then they danced around the family room.

 

[drumflower]

I agree also that if it is their 1st trip to Disney, they don't really know how cool your gift really is. My kids didn't have a big reaction before we went the 1st time, but now they just excited if they see me on this site! lol They figure it out before I tell them! They say, yeah , we know , you have been on those DIsney sites for hours! Now they are as crazy about Disney as I am!

 

[gabsmom]

We also surprised our DD age 14 on Christmas Day. I had typed up on the computer a story on Christmas stationary about going to the airport, boarding a plane, having a towncar pick us up at the airport, pictures of the resort (POR), cirque tickets, etc. I then put it in a regular sweater box and wrapped it up. She was in total shock. But the biggest shock is that she thought we were going on February school vacation, when in reality we are leaving this Wednesday!! It was great!!

 

[4kids4disney]

First, let me say that I have been planning this trip for five months. I've been so excited at times that I thought I was about to burst.

We let the children open up all of their presents. Then we brought out four large boxes from the disney store. They were filled with disney t-shirts, sweatshirts, scrapbooks, guide books, pjs (and whatever else I could get my hands on).

None of the kids caught on (11, 10, 6 & 3) until they read the letter at the bottom of the box. I stole a quote from a fellow DISer -- It read "Good things come to those who wait...And Mickey says you've waited long enough!! Pack your bags, we're going to DisneyWorld!!"

My daughter cried, I cried. It was all very, very sweet. Now the fun really begins. I'm just happy that I don't have to keep the secret anymore.

Only 5 more days to go!

 

[liznboys]

Aw, that's so neat!! Maybe we'll see your group there!!

(BTW, I added you to the February List, but I wasn't sure of your dates, check it and let me know if I need to change it.)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=694102

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Of my gosh... what great stories!!! I've got goose bumps and tears in my eyes.

 

[jewellmmc]

I was a surprisee! Except I was told a little bit earlier ....It was my early present.

 

[kellimomo3]

We surprised our boys on Christmas morning with the news that we were heading to a week at Disney followed by a week on a Disney Magic cruise. They had to go on a scavenger hunt around the house for puzzle pieces that when put together showed a picture of the Disney cruise. We then handed our six year old, who is just learning to read, a note that described what we were about to embark on. It was exactly how I had envisioned it for the past year and a half!! If you go over to the DCl forum and check out the thread on Christmas surprises you'll see a photo of their reaction!! Only 12 more days!!!


Kelli

 

[kilee]

What wonderful gifts... I kept hinting to DH but he didn't take the hint I guess. GOLFGAL-- I wouldn't be disappointed by your kids reactions. I definetly think they'll get really excited when it gets a lot closer. For kids, May is still an eternity away. When it gets down to those last few weeks they'll probably start getting very, very anxious!!!

 

[dizprincess717]

I'm a first year college student and my best friend (who is my roommate!) and I wanted to go to Disney over our Spring Break, but since she plays softball she can't because she's going to Virginia. Well, I was crushed. My mom and dad had just taken my sister and I to Daytona Beach, Disney World, Key Largo & Key West for the entire month of June and I knew they wouldn't go back down again. I knew I had one last resort, Nana! I called her and asked what she thought about going back down one more time with my sister, Olivia, and I. She said she'd check into it. She checked, and told me that our travel agent had to wait till the new year to get all the latest rates and discounts, and this made perfect sense to me. This was in the beginning of December that this happened.

So now it's Christmas morning, and my sister, family, and I had opened all of our gifts. All of our family always goes to my house since it's definately the biggest, there were about 20 people there. I had wanted to tell Olivia about going to Disney on Christmas, but Nana said we couldn't because nothing was finalized yet. However, right before we all were going to go upstairs and eat lunch my Pop Pop told me and my sister that he didn't give us our gift. He said that we both had to close our eyes. I still, honestly, had NO idea what was happening. My uncle Jason, who is also going with us, went into his bedroom upstairs and we sat there with our eyes closed. Pop Pop told us to hold out our hands, and Jason placed this thing in our hands. We opened our eyes finally, and I saw a HUGE Minnie Mouse stuffed animal in our hands and my eyes started to fill up with tears. Pinned on each of her hands was a piece of rolled-up paper with a red ribbon around it. We both opened the paper and I knew instantly what it was and started to cry. Olivia read the paper for a few minutes and I asked her if she knew what it was and she said "Hold on ... You mean I'm going to get to ride Mission: Space again?!" and when we all said yes she started to cry and hug my Nana and Pop Pop. I looked at my mom and whispered "Nothing is booked yet, what happens if we can't go?" and my mom said "It's been booked since you first asked Nana. And you annoyed both of us when you kept asking if the travel agent called! You're going!" And then with that I finally could rest easy with knowing that I was going home for the sixth time.

It was perfect because, even though I've been to Disney World 5 times and I knew we were going, I never had the "You're Going To Disney World Surprise" before and it was one of the most magical moments of my life. Nana and Pop Pop are taking us down for six days over my spring break in March (Olivia was excited because she gets to miss school) and we're staying in the Wilderness Lodge. It was the best Christmas gift I ever got.

 

[princesslibby]

We surprised our 3 boys Christmas morning too. I bought 3 empty paint cans at Ace hardware & wrapped the outside with regular paper. Inside I had taken the covers off of 3 disney magazines glued each to construction paper and on the back i wrote WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD . Then I cut them up- like puzzle pieces and put eah one in a can. That was the last gift they opened Christmas morning. DH helped them pry the lids off. Then we had them put the puzzles together. DS 8 said I 've seen this before it was on the Disney magazine. We suggested they turn them over to see if there was anything on the back. DS 8 and DS 6 started to read what was on the back. DS 2 just watched his big brothers. It took a moment to sink in and then there was for joy!
I've been planning since May and all the made me feel great.They've only been once to MK and just for a day so they are very excited.
We leave in 5 days and will be @ WDW for 8 days. It's also DH and my's 10th anniversary-we spent our honeymoon @WDW. So we are pretty excited ourselves.
libby

 

[loribell]

And now I have tears in my eyes. What a special trip it will be. We will be there with 21 of our family members June 4 - 9th. And we are all getting very excited.

I hope both of our families have truly magical trips!

Lori